With the spring thaw comes increasing numbers of bicyclists, who are required to follow most of the same laws as drivers. But they also face some unique challenges that aren’t addressed in statute.

Ethan Fawley, executive director of the Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition, said he is hearing more concerns about bike etiquette as cycling continues to grow in popularity. Fawley, along with a few bicyclists on Twitter, suggested some ways to maintain safety (and harmony) as you take to the streets this spring.

1. Pay attention on trails

Minneapolis has 85 miles of off-street bikeways, and trails are becoming more common in cities across the state. But they are places where all sorts of bicyclists mix. Some are training for races, some are riding to work, some are taking a leisurely ride on their day off. Fawley said bicyclists need to pay attention to all the other people who are using the trails for different reasons.

“When people going different speeds are present, both sides need to be aware of that. Sometimes when the trail gets crowded you might have to slow down and maybe wait to find spacing when passing.”

2. Ride predictably

Fawley said this is the number one bike etiquette rule.

“Don’t swerve unexpectedly, don’t turn without signaling when there are other people around, don’t speed up or slow down unexpectedly and, of course, just try to relax and enjoy the beautiful summer, and I think we’ll all be a little happier if we’re less stressed out.”

3. Use your words

You should also announce your presence by saying “On your left” when passing otherwise you risk someone veering into your path and causing an accident. For safety’s sake, Marc Warnest suggested on Twitter that bicyclists shouldn’t be afraid to make some noise to cars either.

4. Don’t crowd one another

Drivers and bicyclists often have to share the road. Fawley said drivers and bicyclists must give one another the room they need to stay safe. Drivers should stay a safe distance from bicyclists when passing. And bicyclists should give parked cars a wide berth to avoid getting “doored” into traffic, Fawley said.

“Everyone is learning more and more that cyclists really should be out a little from the edge, and it’s incumbent on cyclists to recognize and be aware that at the same time as you want to be safe, you also want to be considerate. It’s a balancing act between those two things. I think some people will say I want to be a little farther out so I don’t get buzzed, I think other people will want to be closer to the edge of the road.”

5. Treat pedestrians respectfully

Bicyclists should treat pedestrians the way they wish drivers treated bicyclists. Fawley said that holds both on the street and on sidewalks.

“That’s being aware, not buzzing people walking, giving space, slowing down at intersections and crossing points. Hopefully from the pedestrian side, being predictable, just as we hope bicyclists are being predictable when they’re biking on the streets.”

6. Stay visible

That means using bike lights at night and not darting in and out of traffic. Sidewalks can also be some of the deadliest places for bikers because they often can’t be seen by drivers at intersections. An analysis of bike crashes released by the city of Minneapolis last year found that 33 percent of the crashes studied involved a bicyclist entering traffic from a sidewalk or path.

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The number one rule of being on the road with cars is that red lights and stop signs aren’t optional suggestions! When a biker goes through a red light that is green for me, or comes up behind me as I am in the right turn lane, about to legally turn right on red , and goes past me on the right to blow through the red light, he puts everyone around in danger. And in biker vs. car, biker loses big time.

alex

The law says they aren’t optional. That doesn’t mean I’m waiting at every red light or coming to a complete stop at every stop sign. This doesn’t mean put others at risk. It means use good judgment and navigate the roads reasonably. In my opinion, waiting at a red light when not a single other sole is coming for a quarter mile is unreasonable. Coming to a complete stop at a stop sign, where the intersections are visible, and no cars are coming for 2-3 blocks – it’s not necessary.

mad4plaid

There is actually as state law in MN that allows bicycles and motorcycles to stop at red light, then proceed through on red when it is safe to do so. This is because our form of transport isn’t heavy enough to trigger the weight sensors on the traffic semaphores. The statute is 169.06.iii subd 9. If vehicle traffic is waiting the law does not apply. If the light is not on a weight sensor, it does not apply. However, most places I cycle are on weight sensors and if it wasn’t for this statute, I’d be waiting for up to 20 minutes for a car to trigger the weight, while absolutely no traffic is going past.

Eamon

I agree, and in these examples I think the biker is not being safe. But keep in mind that many of the laws cyclists must abide by were created for cars. Despite sharing the road, cyclists don’t have much of a voice when it comes to determining the laws of that road, which can be very frustrating. If you’re waiting at an all-ways stop intersection and you see me approaching the intersection from another direction, please just let me bike through. I’ll slow down to make sure the way is clear, but it’s a lot harder for me to come to a full stop and then get back up to speed than it is for you. Often times its a lot easier for us to see if the intersection is clear than it is for you because we don’t have 5 feet of metal in front of us, we have much better visibility, and we’re traveling at much slower speeds.

TJ

But if a car is waiting at the 4 way stop intersection, it’s NOT clear, and you’re not being predictable. And, you’re not allowing for pedestrians either.

You know, I disagree with this one. As a cyclist, I’d rather we all just follow the simple, predictable right of way rule, even if it means I have to make the effort to start up again after stopping.

Tom

Joanna – I agree. People should stop at red lights and stop signs – and that includes cars! When a car runs a red light or blows through a stop sign, he puts everyone around in danger.

Bikers and drivers break the rules of the road all of the time, but when drivers break them people die.

Eamon

And cars don’t have to go through the intersection for it to be considered running a stop sign. Cars have to stop at the stop line or (if there isn’t a stop line) at the crosswalk. Far too often I see cars glide right through the crosswalk or stop in the crosswalk which legally constitutes failing to stop at a traffic light/stop sign.

robin

I ride horses on shared bike/equestrian trails. It would be really nice if bikers would announce themselves when passing horses.

alex

Absolutely. I think part of it is similar to how drivers interact with cyclists – they’re uninformed and just don’t know what to do about it.

My solution is to just be extremely conscious of those I’m sharing a trail/road with. Sometimes my reactions are overkill, sometimes I learn from my lack of action, etc. Either way, if people find themselves uncomfortable/confused/angry in any situation on a trail/road – I feel they need to take a stepback and learn how to prevent it. That would completely solve the bulk of our issues.

Jeff

Joanna, thanks for your comments. I agree that it’s dangerous behavior for a cyclist to try and overtake you on the right as you’re in the right turn lane. There, it seems appropriate for the cyclist to be to your left. With regard to red lights, in some limited circumstances it is permissible for cyclists to run the red, if they’ve been waiting at a light where there is no oncoming traffic and are unlikely to trigger the light to change.
Two main rules for me (after commuting year-round for 3 years now) are to ride predictably and be hyper-alert and aware. You’re quite right that a cyclist will lose in a run-in with a car, so it’s on cyclists to account for everyone else on the road (cars, pedestrians).
I take some issue with “on your left.” It’s somewhat likely that a runner or other cyclist will have ear buds and not be able to hear me when I pass. It’s also possible that my sudden announcement will spook the person and make them behave unpredictably. My practice is to give them a wide berth, provided there are no oncoming pedestrians or cyclists. It’s worked well for me.

Becca

I appreciate it when people announce when they’re going to pass me. It’s unsettling to have someone come up behind you unexpectedly, and plus I know to keep to the right because someone is coming by. It really is safer to announce that you’re going by — in addition to giving a wide berth.

b

Hear Hear Joanna. If you want respect- show respect. Bikers shouldn’t get it both ways.

Starquest

I’m guilty of salmoning and I won’t apologize. All it takes is one guy on his phone to not see me, and if I’m riding with traffic on a busy street, I might be dead. At least if I’m going to the opposite way, I have a chance of taking evasive manoeuvres.

Here’s an item I’ll add to the list that I can’t believe isn’t there. Don’t ride your bike at night unless it’s absolutely necessary. So many of the bike crashes we hear about happen after midnight.

Jerry

And the people who are going the correct direction, who suddenly find themselves face to face with a bicycle coming right at them in the bike lane, with nowhere to maneuver, what are they supposed to do? It’s extremely rude, extremely dangerous, and extremely inconsiderate. Moreover, when a car or a bicycle turns onto a street, they almost certainly won’t look for a cyclist going the wrong direction, so you’re putting yourself at risk, too. I understand your concern about not being seen, but your behavior is putting yourself and — more importantly — everybody around you in really serious danger.

JDan

Know the traffic laws…

James

Every day that I ride, I nearly collide with fellow bicyclists who do not announce themselves as they over take me. I expect this from kids, students and amateur riders, but those of the lycra set should know better. Use your words.

Jeff

I know it’s probably against the law but safety is more important than the law…if you’re riding a bike on a somewhat busy road and you can clearly see the sidewalk is empty (clear view) just use the sidewalk! It’s just common sense…trust me you’re better off getting a talking to from a cop than trying to bike on a busy road with tons of cars going faster than you and getting hit.

JQP

sidewalks in urban and denser sub-urban areas, in my opinion, are generally more dangerous than the street or road.
– bikes crossing in a crosswalk aren’t observed well by cars, they see people and assume walking pace
– cruising pass storefront doors even a low speed is hazardous to sudden pedestrians
–

for a commuter, the better solution is to find a cleaner route. I’ve specifically abandoned a couple of routes because I recognize that while a bike is legal on that road … bad traffic is bad traffic.

But… if I ever decide to ride a sidewalk and a cop stops me… I’m handing over the link to your post.

Jeff

You missed the part about a CLEAR VIEW and EMPTY SIDEWALK. I’d be glad to represent you in a court of law; in every situation there is a reasonable exception in the law for safety. I highly doubt a cop would do little more than give you a warning anyway…they want you off the road as much as every other driver.

JQP

and .. weaving between sidewalk and roadway is even more dangerous.

Jeff

Yep, you’re right, it’s so much worse for car traffic if you move your bike away from it…

Dylan

Jeff: You’re quite simply wrong on this one. Check out the research and you’ll find transitioning between street and sidewalk is MORE dangerous. It’s about sharing the road, which means sometimes drivers have to slow down and wait for a clear opportunity to pass. The law, which you seem to know so much about, is quite clear on that point.

Jeff

169.222 – (d) A person operating a bicycle upon a sidewalk, or across a roadway or shoulder on a crosswalk, shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal whennecessary before overtaking and passing any pedestrian. No person shall ride a bicycle upon a
sidewalk within a business district unless permitted by local authorities. Local authorities may prohibit the operation of bicycles on any sidewalk or crosswalk under their jurisdiction.

Basically it is legal to ride your bike on sidewalks in certain localities…it’s different in each city. Technically it’s up to “local authorities” so a cop could permit you to ride on the sidewalk anywhere.

JQP

zymurgy

Jeff

Hey I’m just as annoyed by a biker in a lane of traffic as I am with a driver on the highway sitting in the left lane going 5-10 mph below the speed limit. If you can’t go with the flow of traffic do your best to get out of the way…that includes using the sidewalk where it’s safe to do so.

Jerry

In every situation, safety must trump convenience. You’re asking others to take the risk that others will see them doing something really unpredictable, namely come darting into an intersection from a place most drivers don’t think to look. I don’t think that’s reasonable. As you say, no mode of transportation trumps any other. Therefore we all have to make concessions to allow each other to use the public transportation system as safely as possible.

Jeff

What are you talking about, the safest place for a biker is in an empty sidewalk. The flow of traffic is unsafe with bikers in the street…if they must be in the street (due to pedestrians) then fine I understand that but not when the sidewalk is clear. If bikers are so concerned about entering the street then do it slowly (that means stopping if you have to) when entering the street from the sidewalk. I have zero problem with bikes that can travel the same speed as the flow of traffic but that has rarely been the case from my experience. The traffic that moves at the flow of the majority of traffic does actually trump slower/faster than the flow traffic.

JQP

The reality is bikes are legitimate roadway traffic. You can ride a bike as you choose , on sidewalks.

But, bikes are legal and expected, even in winter now on roadways.

Any police officer will tell you the same. Your desire for normal speed is a preference not a requirement. Posted speeds are maximums -not minimums. Yeah , ideal world its nice.. …. but… One of the so-called capacities of humans is the ability to learn. If you drive routes frequented by bikers that slow you down … add some time to your commute. You’re part of a widely varying community. Not clones of yourself. Expect others to differ some.

in response to your specious challenge that bikes travel the same speed as traffic … one could make the equally specious petty demand that cars use as much gas as bikes do.

The safest place for a biker is an empty sidewalk, as long as there are no crosswalks or driveways between where they are and where they’re going. Like if they’re biking next door.

Jerry

A cyclist is something like 10 times more likely to be hit by a car when riding on a sidewalk. The safest way to ride a bicycle around cars is to make sure they know you are there and can tell exactly what you are going to do. The problem is that nobody expects a cyclist to enter an intersection from a sidewalk. Whether or not the sidewalk is “clear” is irrelevant. Nobody will look there.

You can feel annoyed if you want, but please also be aware: every statistic indicates that what you are asking of cyclists would put their lives in danger.

Ben

Both bikers and drivers need to realize that nobody’s out to get the other side. I ride to work when I can and I drive to work very frequently. I would like drivers to drive in a way that will allow them to avoid an unexpected biker or pedestrian, a child darting out from behind a parked car for instance. And I would like bikers to remember that they aren’t always visible. I was driving home at the begining of the last snow fall we had and nearly took out a biker who was riding responsibly, could have used a light with the snow and twilight, but he had the right-of-way. I literally did not see him until he almost had his front tire planted in my passenger side door. I had stopped at a stop sign, looked both ways and started thru the intersection. I think he was probably behind my windshield post at the time I had looked to my left. If you’re reading this biker, sorry.

Ben

Correction, I think he was probably behind my windshield post at the time I looked to my right, not left.

ptoadstool

Now that the weather is nice, bicyclists are back on the shared trails in Woodbury and around the Twin Cities. As a walker, I am not about to walk heel to toe against the right edge of the path to accommodate their inexperience or reticence about calling out their approach. If you are cycling, please be kind enough to announce your approach. If walkers are wearing earbuds, that’s too damned bad – you are still responsible for alerting them and slowing down while giving them plenty of space. For all you know, they could have a hearing deficit or be lost in thought, earbuds or no. And when approaching a person walking a dog, be extra careful – the dog may move suddenly into your path, especially if it is startled. That means announcing your approach and slowing down! The same goes for approaching anyone walking with small children. If you are a parent, PLEASE teach your kids to ride safely and to respect walkers. The paths go through wooded areas and have hills and curves. They are not a racetrack for bicycles, but some days you might think so – even though a pedestrian may be right around that curve.

Renae

When biking on dual surface trails where the earth surface is open to horseback riding slow down and speak up when passing a horse. A bicycle quietly speeding by can be a very scary thing to a horse, to a horse the bicyclist is basically a predator in their mind. So please slow down and speak up, as an equestrian it would be much appreciated!

Jason Tanzman

I’m slightly annoyed by the framing of this article, and the end call for “bike etiquette suggestions” which basically asks everyone to list the things they are annoyed at bicyclists about. I believe strongly that bicyclists need to act more respectfully and safely – especially when it comes to pedestrians, as well as other bicyclists. However, the framing of this conversation is basically asking what people on this forum – many of whom as primarily drivers – want bicyclists to do differently, without discussing the responsibility that motor vehicle drivers must share to make our roadways safe for all users, especially those who are most vulnerable (read: pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as elderly, disabled, children, etc).

Jesse Thompson

Interesting point. Though I feel car drivers more than respect me on the road when I respect them, maybe instead of asking for etiquette suggestions from “annoyances,” which sounds like an excuse to vent anger, we should be looking to things like drivers manuals, vehicular laws, pedestrian laws, road design, etc. to create a “transportation etiquette” that does “make our roadways safe for all users, especially for those who are most vulnerable,” like you said. Instead of bitterly lobbing accusations back and forth (no matter how true), we can forgive each other and seek to correct each other out of love, as Jesus has forgiven us and lovingly corrects us through his word, The Bible.

BigKid

Unless you are a child, please do not ride your bike on the sidewalk in a busy urban area. Especially when there is a perfectly good bike lane painted on the road. I know several pedestrians who have been hit by an on-coming cyclist.